Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-29

TO mitigate the harShneSs OF anything that
she hears about others, and she has told me
this as mildly as the case will admit must
give him up forever"
But though she made this resolution with
firm settling of the lines around her mouth
that spoke strongly of its probable fulfllment,
the arrival of the decision was the signal for
the assault of a thousand tender memories
and dear recollections, all pleading trumpet
tongued against the summary dismissal of
the unworthy lover All the ineffably sweet
incidents of their love life stretched them
selves out in vista before her, and tempted
her to reserve her decision. But she stayed
her purpose with repeating to herself:
at will save untold misery hereafter to be
firm now, and end a connection at once that
must be the worse for both of us every day
that it is allowed to continue"
There was tap at the door, and DIR. Den
slow entered
The struggle had so shattered Rachel's self
control that she nervously grasped the letter
and thrust it into her pocket, as If the mere
sight Of it would reveal to him the pertuI'
baton that was shaking her,
His quick eyes-quicker yet in whatever re-
lated to her-noticed her embarrassment
Excuse me-" he said with that graceful
tact which seemed the very fiber of his ma
ture. you are not in the mood TO receive
callers. will so now, and look in again
"No, no; stay. l am really glad to see
YOU 1t is nothing, assure you"
She really wished very much to be alone
with her grief, but she felt somehow that to
shrink from meeting would be an evasion
of the path Of duty she had marked out for
her feet to tread If she were going TO elimi-
nate all thoughts of her love and her lover
from her life there was no better time to
begin than now, while her resolution was
fresh. She insisted upon the doctor remain
ing and he did 50. Conscious that her en-
barrasSment had been noticed, her self pos
session did not return quickly enough to pre-
vent her falling into the error of failing to
ignore this. and she confusedly stumbled into
an explanation:
Il have received a letter from home which
contains news that disturhs me-" This was
as far as she had expected to go.
DR.. DenSlow's face expressed a lively SYM
pathy. No one dead or seriously i'll. I
trust
NO, not so bad as that she answered
hastily. in the first impulse of fear that she
had unwarrantably excited his sympathy
Nor is it anything connected with property, >
she hastily added. as she saw the doctor
looked iDquiriRgly, but as though fearing
that further questioning might be an indeli-
cate intrusion.
She packed ner7cusly at the engagement
ring which Harry had placed upon her
finger. II fitted closely and resisted her
efforts at removal She felt, when il was too
late, that neither this nor Its significance had
escaped DR., Denslowls ewes.
"A f-riend-an-aCquaintan of mine has
dis-raced himself, she said, with very ap-
parent effort
An ordinary woman would have broken
down in a fearful tempest, but as has been
said before she was denied that sweet relief
which most women find in a readily respon-
sive glsh of tears. Her ewes became very dry
and exceedingly hot. Her misery was evi-
dent
The doctor took her hand with a movement
of involuntary sympathy. a am deeply hurt
to see You grieve, be said, land wish that ]
might say something to alleviate your trou-
bles. Is it ANYTHING that You can tell Inc
about"
NO, it is nothing of which can say a word
to any one she answered. 1t Is a trouble
that can share with no one, and least of all
with a stranger
Am l not more than a stranger to youYr
he asked
~Oh yes, indeed she said, and fastening
to correct her former GOODNESS. added you
are a very dear, good friend. whom value
much more highly than ! have given you rea-
son 10 think
His face frightened wonderfully, but be adj
ventured his way slowly. Il am very glad
that you esteem me what have tried to show
myself during our acquaintance
You have indeed shown yourself very
true friend / could not ask for a better one
"Then will you not trust me with share of
your sorrows, that may help you bear them7-
"No, no; you cannot Nobody can do any
thing in this case but myself
you do not know You do not know what
love can accomplish when it sets itself to work
with the ardor belonging to itn
"Lovel o, do not speak to me of that" she
said, suddenly awakening to the drift of his
words, and striving TO withdraw her hand
L u.
vehernence entirely foreign to his usual
half knocking philosophy Il must speak of
it." he repeated, with deepening tones, 'You
surely can not be blind to the fact that love
you devotedly- Every days
intercourse must have shown you something
Of this, which you could not have mistaken.
You must have seen this growing upon me
continually. until now ! have but few
thoughts into which your image does not ap-
pear, to brighten and enhance them. Tell me
now TINT hopes dearer-infinitely dearer-
than any I have ever before cherished arc
to have the crown of fruition."
Il cannot-I cannot" she sighed
"What can you notl Can't you care for me
at least little'"
Il do; care for yon ever SO much am
not only grateful for all that you have beer
to me and done for me, but have a feeling
that goes beyond mere gratitude But &c
say that | return the love you profess for me
that even entertain any feeling resembling
i'll cannot, and certainly not at this time. y
"But you certainly do not love anyone
else7"
oh, beg of you not to question me-
Il know | have no right to ask you such 6
question ] have 10 right to pryl ihto amy
| matter which you do not choose to reveal tt
me of your own free will and accord. But a,
all the mail of the hospital goes through my
bands, could not help notisiagi that in al
the months that you have been here you hay,
written T. no man nor received.a letter iron
one. Upon this have built my hopes tina
[ yoFi were heart freetH"sto tiisH ssk a7'ss,
JNN "NiN AiSes tt-aa,
II cannot talk Of this, nor of anything row
am so wrought up by many things tina
have happened-by my letter from home; b,
your unexpected declaratian-that my poo
brain Is in q whirls andAI cannot think eAArl
and cofnectedly on any subject ffeas4 d
not press me any more now